Hindutva push behind making Lakshadweep the next Maldives?

Muslim women, who have on an average three children, could be possibly banned from contesting local elections in Lakshadweep

A string of decisions by Lakshadweep’s administrator and former BJP MLA from Gujarat, Praful Khoda Patel, has kicked up a veritable storm in a territory that barely ever features in mainstream discourse. Gujarat’s former home minister who is the central appointee to govern the atolls has banned the sale, transport and consumption of beef in Lakshwadeep. Anyone found to be killing, transporting or selling cattle can be imprisoned from anywhere between 10 years to life in jail. Under the Lakshadweep Animal Preservation (Regulation), authorities have been given unfettered powers to raid any premises where they think beef is being consumed